Rare Letter from the "Chacham Bashi", the Rishon LeTzion R' Chaim David Hazan, to R' Yitzchak b. Walid 'HaNer ...

Rare Letter from the "Chacham Bashi", the Rishon LeTzion R' Chaim David Hazan, to R' Yitzchak b. Walid 'HaNer HaMa'aravi'. Jerusalem 1867.

Beautiful letter in eastern script, penned in the holy handwriting of the Rabbi of Jerusalem, known as ‘Chad BeDoroh’ meaning ‘unique in his generation’, Rabbi Chaim David Chazan. Personally signed and stamped by him. Rabbi Chazan authored this letter when he was 77 years old, addressing the prominent Kabbalist, the Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak ben Walid, who was referred to as ‘HaNer HaMaaravi' [The Western Light].

Rabbi Chaim David Chazan served as the Rabbi of Izmir, and Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. He lived during 1790-1869 and was most unique. He resided in the Mishkenot Sha’ananim neighborhood of Jerusalem as well as in the Old City. Rabbi Chazan authored the books Yitav Lev, Nediv Lev, Yoshar Lev and Torah HaZevach.

Rabbi Yitzchak ben Walid was known as the Western Light and was one of the great Moroccan sages. He was a Rabbi, Kabbalist and author of responsa ‘VaYomer Yitzchak’. His greatness was apparent from a very young age. Rabbi Yitzchak was outstanding in his humility and his love for the Holy Land. He passed away in 1870 at the onset of the Shabbat while he murmured ‘Mizmor Shir LeYom HaShabbat.’ 

Rabbi Yitzchak signed with his creative signature and stamped his unusual rounded stamp, that combined three languages: Arabic, Spanish and Hebrew.